Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-26
EASTERN SHORE.
Customs District-PensiOD Claims
Prize-Fight.

priZe-fi2ht.
TCorrespondence of the Richmond Dispatch
ONANCoCK, January %, 1887.
The proposition now pending before
, Congress TO abolish the. customs district
of Cherrystone is not viewed with favor
bv the people of this section. The dis
trict embraces the entire Eastern Shore
of Virginia, the chief Office being sit
mated at Cape Charles City, the southern
terminus of the New York, Philadelphia
and Norfolk railroad, with subordinate
Offices at Onancock and Chincotea8ue
island. The abolition of the district
would open our ports to the entry OF
Nnuggled goods and compel vessel
owners to 90 to Norfolk or Baltimore
for their papers, thus subjecting them
to ANNOYANCE and expense that many OF
them could hardly afford to bear.
A letter of inquiry received recently
bv Mr.. Frank A. Slocomb, a prominent
merchant of OnancOck, from the Urea
sury Department at Washington, affords
a striking illustration of the fraudulent
means frequently adopted by those who
are trying to get pensions from the
United States. The facts of the case
are briefly as follows Mr.. Slocombs
father owned negro woman who had
only one child, Henry SlOcOmb. He
was supposed to be the son of famous
negro fiddler named Jake DrummOnd,
who seems TO have been more famous
for the number of his " wives and the
multitude of children than for his
musical accomplishments. During the
war Henry Slocomb, the only
child of his mother, ran off and
Joined the Union army, and died
before the war closed. Now the
numerous daughters of Jake Drum
mond are asking the United States to
give them each pension. have been
informed by persons who know, that
numerous pension claims standing on
no better ground than that of Jake
Drummonds reputed daughters have
been allowed TO negroes on the Eastern
Shore.
Reports received here from ChincO-
league give an amusing account OF a
prize fight between two Of the cham
pion heavy-weights OF the island The
third round had Just ended, and the
victor was receiving the congratulations
of his hackers, when his iratc wife sud
denly appeared on the scene, seized
him by the collar, and led him home III
triumph.
Just at this time the Eastern Shore
seems TO be overrun with gypsies. Two
gangs of them encamped near Oman
cocOck during the week and attracted
large crowds of people-most OF whom
went out of curiosity, though many
could not resist the temptation OF
having their fortunes told. Every af-
ternoon for several days past the camps
have presented a lively and picturesque
appearance.
The farmers of Northampton are
showing much interest III their recently
formed association, which is growing
rapidly in popularity and membership.
The last meeting was largely attended
and many new members We're added.
The next meeting will be held in East
Vile, and "Home Markets " will be
the topic Of discussion.
Onancock harbor and creek are now
entirely clear OF ice, but the westerly
winds have made the tides so low that
the Baltimore steamers are unable to
get over the bar at the mouth of the
creek. Old sailors say that the tides in
fhe Chesapeake during the past
week have been lower than for years
kALLIAS